Khajuraho International Film Festival (12)

Festival start: 16 December 2026      Festival end: 23 December 2026

The Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF), now in its 12th edition, is one of India's most prestigious cultural and cinematic celebrations. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, the festival unites international cinematic visionaries, independent filmmakers, and passionate audiences from around the globe.

Founded by acclaimed actor and filmmaker Raja Bundela, KIFF is world-renowned for its iconic 'Tapra Talkies' (traditional open-air folk cinema tents) alongside state-of-the-art projection venues, bringing cinema to both international delegates and vibrant local communities.

The 12th Edition embraces the core pillars of INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, and CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. KIFF 2026 offers:

• Competitive Sections for International Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, and Animations.

• Masterclasses and interactive panels led by veteran industry directors, cinematographers, and actors.

• Red Carpet galas, networking forums, and cultural performances showcasing Indian music and dance.

• Distribution and co-production networking opportunities for independent filmmakers.

We welcome filmmakers from all corners of the world to submit their works and celebrate the triumph of storytelling in the heart of Incredible India.

• Best Feature Film (Official Certificate of Excellence & Citation)

• Best Director (Official Certificate of Honor)

• Best Short Film (Official Certificate of Excellence)

• Best Documentary Film (Official Certificate of Excellence)

• Best Animation Film (Official Certificate of Excellence)

• Best Actor / Actress (Official Certificate of Merit & Citation)

• Special Jury Mention (Official Certificate of Recognition)

• Promising Student Filmmaker (Official Certificate of Merit)

Note: All festival awards and recognitions are presented as official Certificates of Honor/Excellence and citations. No physical trophies or cash prizes are awarded.

1. ELIGIBILITY:

• Films completed after January 1, 2024, are eligible for competition.

• Films must not have been released theatrically or on television in India before the festival dates. World, international, or national premiere status is preferred.

• Films may be submitted in any language. However, all non-english and non-Hindi films must include legible english subtitles.


2. SUBMISSION FORMAT:

• All film submissions must be made through Festhome using secure online screeners, such as password-protected Vimeo links, unlisted YouTube links, or Festhome uploads.

• Physical screeners, including DVD and Blu-ray, will not be accepted.


3. SELECTION & NOTIFICATION:

• Selected filmmakers will be officially notified by email and through Festhome by December 1, 2026.

• Decisions made by the Selection Committee and the Grand Jury are final and binding.


4. SCREENING FORMAT:

• Selected films must be submitted in MP4 format with a minimum resolution of 1080p (Full HD) or 4K (Ultra HD).

• The final screening copy must be submitted at least 10 days before the commencement of the festival.
• Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that the submitted file meets the required technical standards and plays correctly for festival screening.

• KIFF reserves the right to request a replacement file if the submitted screening copy has technical issues.


5. RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS:

• By submitting a film, the filmmaker or producer confirms that they hold all necessary rights and permissions, including those for copyrighted music, imagery, and other intellectual property, required for public screening.

• The submitter grants the Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF) the non-exclusive right to use excerpts of up to 3 minutes, trailers, posters, and production stills for festival promotion, broadcast, print, and social media coverage.


6. FESTIVAL DETAILS:

• Festival: 12th Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF) 2026

• Dates: December 16–23, 2026

• Venue: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

• Film Submission deadline: November 30, 2026

• Selection Notification deadline: December 1, 2026

By submitting a film, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to these rules and regulations.